Sending cargo to India is a very daunting task when you want to send your precious gift to your family in India. Choosing the right courier company is crucial. There are many types of cargo options like air cargo, sea cargo, and door-to-door cargo service and it’s confusing which modes you should select. Whenever you are shipping to India, the situation is something that you may find yourself mired between custom forms, differential shipping rates, and vast distances. But no need to get worried! All you need here is your gateway to sending couriers to India without all that hassle, with saving money in your pocket while delivering your parcel in one piece. We’ll break everything down, from choosing the right service to packing tips and navigating customs.
Imagine it’s your niece’s birthday in India, and you’ve found the perfect gift for him/her. It’s a beautiful hand-crafted doll, and you want it to arrive on time. This is where the shipping service you will select is going to be important. You want it fast and you want it to get there. Consider the alternatives. You can choose a major international shipping company. They deliver extremely quickly, in most cases in just a few business days. Tracking is also fantastic; you’ll be able to know exactly where your package is at any given time.
This is ideal when you want something delivered within time, such as birthday gifts. However, services are usually much costlier. If you don’t have so much money at your disposal, you might as well use the postal service. They usually operate in collaboration with India Post in delivering items from abroad. They are usually cost-effective, although delivery times could be longer, sometimes even more than a couple of weeks. An international courier can send it to India overnight, but this is okay to pay a premium since it’s an heirloom birthday present.
Specialized courier services may also be needed to post a fragile and very valuable doll; the company will handle this package with extra care, delivering it to its destination in superb condition. Before choosing shipping services, it’s also best to check comparison shipping rates on online tools that provide an ability to compare services from various providers so that the customer may make an appropriate balance of speed, reliability, and cost according to the need.
Suppose you are sending a box of homemade cookies to your loved ones in India and want them to be fresh and intact. That is where proper packing comes in. First, select a sturdy box that is the right size. A box that is too big will allow the cookies to move around and get crushed. A box that is too small might not hold all the cookies. Once you’ve found the right box, cushion away! Wrap each cookie in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Then, fill the empty spaces in the box with some bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled newspaper. This will be a snug environment where the cookies won’t shift during transport.
Seal the box tight with strong packing tape. Don’t be afraid to use extra tape, especially on the corners and edges. Consider double-boxing, especially if these are fragile cookies. When you are sending food to India you should attract a complimentary note, in which you should write about the item that states it contains homemade foods. Generally, homemade food is always allowed to ship overseas however before shipping it is important to read all the rules and regulations of Indian customs to avoid any type of frustration.
You’re shipping a consignment of your old-school texts to your cousin in India. In that case, you’ll have to go through the navigation of customs regulations. The most important document would be the customs declaration form. However, you must describe carefully and truthfully what your package contains. Avoid writing just “books.” Be specific, like “used school texts on mathematics, science, and literature.” Then, declare the value of the items. Old books have some value, even though they are old. Be honest and accurate. Under-declaration in valuation may make one liable to fines and delays. You may also need to include Harmonized System (HS) codes, which classify goods for customs purposes. The system is a bit tricky, so be sure to look it up online, or ask your shipping provider. Since you are shipping books, you should not need any special permits or licenses, but it’s always a good idea to check the Indian customs website to be sure. Mark the package boldly as “personal effects” or “educational materials.” That sometimes helps ease customs clearance processes.
You have dispatched a parcel containing Diwali sweets to your family in India. You’re eager to know when a package will arrive in India. In this case, tracking comes in really handy. For this, you will be furnished with a tracking number by your shipping provider of yours. Use this number to track your package online on their website or the application. You will know at every stage where your package is, right from pickup to delivery. You will receive an update on when it clears customs in India and when it is out for delivery. This ensures you are always in the know of where it is and can anticipate when it will arrive. Make your family aware of the tracking number so they may trace its way also.
Suppose that you stayed in the UK and sent some clothes to India for your relatives or social welfare. Finally, your bundle of clothes reaches India. Your brother calls and says that he received it. But he further added that some customs duties and taxes were incurred. These include normal and weird taxes which the shipping company withholds from you. Normally, the recipient covers any customs charges and taxes laid by the customs authorities of India. Such taxes are apart from the shipping price you had already paid. As usual, that depends on what merchandise you’ve shipped and on what declared value. Make sure your brother keeps his customs fee receipt. Just in case, it is always a good idea to tell the recipient to expect additional customs fees when receiving the package. That’s always a nice surprise. Once your brother receives the package and inspects everything for himself, you can finally take a deep breath and relax. Your package has made it safely to India!
Send cargo shipping to India from the UK has been very enjoyable and pleasant when you have all the details and knowledge about shipping companies, Indian customs rules, and regulations, and also knowledge about prohibited and restricted items. Following the above tips and proper research can help you save a lot of money and avoid many headaches, along with ensuring the safe and timely arrival of your parcel in India. Remember, as they say: “Preparation is the mother of success.” The more knowledge you gain regarding the shipping process, the smoother your parcel’s journey from the UK to India will be. So pack your package smart, choose the right shipping company and send your courier to India with full confidence and peace of mind.
